Businesses respond flexibly to bad weather
07/01/10 | 12:57
As we start a new trading year, local businesses around the country are experiencing weather-related disruption. According to a new survey by the British Chambers of Commerce and Sky News, 68% of businesses surveyed say that the condition of local roads is having the greatest impact on trading, and on employees trying to get to work.
However, businesses say their employees are dedicated - with 61% of companies reporting less than 10% of their staff absent, and two-thirds reporting that any staff members facing poor travelling conditions are able to work from home.
Commenting, Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The impact of winter weather on businesses has varied around the country - with some areas far worse hit than others. Nationally, though, businesses and their employees are responding with characteristic common sense.
Even though three-quarters of businesses say their activities are being disrupted, they are also reporting relatively few absences, and high numbers of staff working from home. Taken together, business flexibility and employee diligence will limit the economic impact of the latest cold snap.”
Ends
Media Contact:
Sam Turvey
Tel: 020 7654 5813
Email: s.turvey@britishchambers.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
200 businesses responded to a snap poll on the BCC website. The questions were as follows:
Q1. Has the snow caused problems for your business?
Yes 74%
No 26%
Q2. Have you seen a rise in absenteeism due to the snow?
Yes 50%
No 50%
Q3. If so, what percentage of your workforce is absent today?
0-9 61%
10-19 11%
20-29 8%
30-39 3%
40-49 2%
50-59 3%
60-69 2%
70-79 1%
80-89 1%
90-100 8%
Q4.Which one of these problem areas have most affected your business?
Motorways and main road clearance 12%
Maintaining rail and public transport services 10%
Airports 2%
Pavements and town centres 8%
Local roads 68%
Q5. Are any of your staff making use of a ‘work from home’ facility?
Yes 65%
No 35%
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the National Voice of Local Business.
The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce serving business across the UK, which employ over five million people